“Boisabi”, the traditional New Year festival of ethnic groups in the hill tract district of Rangamati, got underway on Tuesday, after muted celebrations for two years due to the pandemic.
The word “Boisabi” is a combination of Bangla acronyms for various ethnic festivals like “Boishuk” of the Tripura community, “Sangrai” of Marma, and “Biju” of the Chakma community.
Members of ethnic communities observe 'Phul Biju' in Rangamati on Tuesday, April 12, 2022 Dhaka TribuneMembers of the Chakma and Tripura communities in the district immersed flowers in Kaptai Lake on “Phul Biju”, the first day of the three-day festival.
Wearing traditional dresses, young women and children immersed the flowers in the morning, seeking blessings from “Mother Ganga” and praying for an end to the pandemic. They also prayed for all frustrations and sorrows of the previous year to be removed.
Members of ethnic communities observe 'Phul Biju' in Rangamati on Tuesday, April 12, 2022 Dhaka TribuneDescribing “Phul Biju” as a sacred day, Nabanita, a young woman immersing flowers, said: “Biju means happiness, Biju means love… I pray to god that our hearts will be purified on this holy day.”
On the second day of the festival which is known as “Mul Biju”, one of the main attractions is the ethnic delicacies called “Pachon” and “Dochoyani”, which will be cooked in every household.
On that day, everyone from children to the elderly will go from house to house and spread the joy of “Boisabi”, and the hills will drown in melodies of local songs.
The festival will reach its climax on Thursday, the day of the Bangla New Year celebration.